How can I help myself when I have hip pain?

There are several things you can try if you have hip pain. These include using painkillers, exercising and reducing the strain on your hip.

Painkillers

Simple painkillers such as paracetamol (an analgesic) may help to ease pain. It’s best to take them before the pain becomes very bad, but you shouldn’t take them more often than every four hours or more than eight in 24 hours.

You can use painkillers and NSAIDs for a short course of treatment of about a week to 10 days. If they’ve not helped after this time then they’re unlikely to and you should see your doctor. However, if they do help but the pain returns when you stop taking them, you could try another short course. You can also try rubbing anti-inflammatory creams or gels onto affected areas.

If you’re pregnant, if you smoke, or if you have asthma, indigestion or an ulcer you should speak with your doctor or pharmacist before taking ibuprofen or aspirin.

If you have circulation problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist whether over-the-counter NSAIDs are suitable for you, in case they could interact with any medication you’re taking.

If you have stomach problems after using over-the-counter medication, you should stop taking the tablets and see your doctor.

Exercise

We recommend that you don’t rest for more than a few days – start some gentle exercise as soon as the pain begins to ease. Simple exercises can help to restore your range of movement, promote strength, ease stiffness and get your hip back to normal.

Start by exercising very gently and build up gradually.

When the pain is gone and you’re feeling better, it’s important you continue to exercise on a regular basis otherwise the improvements you’ve made will disappear within a few weeks.

Our simple hip exercises (PDF, 830 KB) are designed to stretch, strengthen and stabilise the structures that support your hip. They may not be suitable for all types of hip pain, so it’s a good idea to get advice from a doctor or physiotherapist about specific exercises before you begin. You should stop if you get any joint pain that doesn’t go away quickly.

Reducing the strain

It’s generally best to carry on doing your normal activities, but try not to overdo things. You might need to pace yourself to allow you to do a little bit more each day. Try the following tips:

• Avoid sitting in low chairs as this bends the hip a lot and might give you more pain.
• Don’t carry heavy weights. Use a trolley when you go shopping if carrying a basket is uncomfortable.
• Find a comfortable sitting position at work to lessen the strain on your hip.
• Use a walking stick to make walking easier. Use the stick on the opposite side to your painful hip. A therapist or doctor can advise on the correct length and the best way to use the stick.
• Lose weight if you’re overweight.
• Alter activities where you have to stand on one leg; for example, when you get into a car, sit on the side of the seat and swing both legs in rather than stepping in one leg at a time.

Complementary therapies

Many different complementary therapies and herbal remedies are believed to help with pain relief. Some people do feel better when they use complementary therapies, but on the whole these treatments aren’t recommended for use on the NHS because there’s no proof that they definitely work.

Generally speaking, complementary and alternative therapies are relatively safe, although you should always discuss their use with your doctor before starting treatment. There are some risks associated with specific therapies.

In many cases the risks associated with complementary and alternative therapies are more to do with the therapist than the therapy. This is why it’s important to go to a legally registered therapist or one who has a set ethical code and is fully insured.

If you decide to try therapies or supplements, you should be critical of what they’re doing for you, and base your decision to continue on whether you notice any improvement.

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